Feng's Distorted World : 鋒言鋒語

Its been almost 3 months since I've had any updates at all. Sorry.

I've been spending most of my time on exams after exams, project curio, and I even managed to catch a gig which featured some Malaysian underground bands. More on that later.

For those who didn't know, Utada Hikaru released yet another single!! Though the single's title is yet to be announced, it will feature the track "Kiss & Cry" from the Freedom Cup Noodles commercial. It will be available on sale in Japan beginning 29th of August 2007. So thats something for us all to look forward to. Here's the fan editted video of the radio rip version of "Kiss & Cry" on Youtube:

Here's one for all of you Hikki fans out there. It is promotional picture for her latest single "Flavor of Life". Yeah, the latest news is that she recently divorced with her husband Kiriya Kazuaki after 4 years of marriage. I just hope that Kiriya can continue to do some of her PVs, her videos like the ones of Hikari, Final Distance, Sakura Drops, and Colors were all so cool!


courtesy of utada-online.net

You might also want to read a detailed post about "Flavor of life" here:
Hikki's New Single - Flavor of Life

"14 message ～every ballad songs 2～" is the title of Every Little Thing's 4th "Best Of" Albums. It was just released on Valentines Day 2007 and is currently No. 2 on Oricon's Album chart. It is a collection of some of Every Little Thing's best songs and celebrates the tenth anniversary of the group's debut. Includes all their singles, live recordings, and fan-selected tracks spanning their complete history of ballads!

14 message ～every ballad songs 2～（フォティーン・メッセージ～エヴリ・バラード・ソング・ツー～）全曲原音で収録されており、ヒット曲「UNTITLED 4 ballads」収録曲、「恋文」、「また あした」といった前作ベスト以降の14曲が収録されている。



収録内容:
1. UNSPEAKABLE
2. キヲク
3. 雨の鳴る夜、しずくを君に
4. ソラアイ
5. nostalgia
6. しあわせの風景
7. azure moon
8. ルーム
9. 恋文
10. 五月雨
11. 帰り道
12. good night
13. また あした
14. 愛の謳

I'm listening to the album now and I really like what I'm listening to so far. I'll probably submit some lyrics once I'm done translating them. In the meantime, you can view the PV of ELT's song UNSPEAKABLE from Oricon here. You can also read about the interview with ELT regarding their new album (sorry it is in Japanese only).

This is the soundtrack for CASSHERN, a Japanese film released in 2004. I know its a bit late for this post but I just couldn't resist writting about it. Apart from The Myth OST and Requiem for a Dream OST, this album is another of the best OSTs released in recent times. The soundtrack consists of 2 CDs, CD1 being a collection of tracks inspired by the movie and CD 2 the tracks that make up the background music in the movie.

The music in these 2 CDs are extremely varied and ranges from j-rock (Hyde, The Back Horn, GLAY), house (Satoshi Tomiie, Towa Tei), lovely ballads (Onitsuka Chihiro, Shiina Ringo, Utada Hikaru) and plain instrumental (Shiro Sagisu in CD2) as well. The track "Requiem" by The Back Horn which is featured in the fight scene between Tetsuya and Burai has become quite a cult favourite and helped boost The Back Horn's popularity worldwide immensely. "Borderline" by Onitsuka Chihiro is also a great track with hauntingly beautiful vocals. The track "誰かの願いが叶うころ (Dare ka no negai kanau koro) by Hikki is the ending theme for the movie. Coupled with a piano solo, the track has a certain melancholic aura to it. As for CD2, my favourite tracks by Shiro Sagisu are "軌道" which is the music for Tetsuya's revival and "The Last Day" during the final scene. Shiro Sagisu's talent combined with his fine use of orchestra and simple strings help make the music both dramatic and emotional in each and every aspect.

Simply put, ther's never a filler or a boring moment in this soundtrack. Instrumental or not, every track is great in its own special way and that's what that makes Our Last Day a great soundtrack.



Our Last Day - Casshern Offical Album

CD1
1. 椎名林檎 / 『茎(ステム)』
2. MONDO GROSSO / 『LIKE NO ONE'S LOOKING』 [Listen Realplayer] [Listen WMP]
3. HYDE / 『MASQUERADE』
4. TOWA TEI / 『ORIGINAL HUMAN』
5. ACIDMAN / 『水写』
6. SS:ST（Shiro SAGISU & Satoshi TOMIIE）[Listen Realplayer] [Listen WMP]
7. 鬼束ちひろ / 『BORDERLINE』 [Listen Realplayer] [Listen WMP]
8. THE BACK HORN / 『レクイエム』
9. GLAY / 『無限のdeja vuから~Peaceful Session~』
10. 宇多田ヒカル / 『誰かの願いが叶うころ』 [Listen Realplayer] [Listen WMP]

CD2
1. 荒廃
2. 暗影
3. 胎動
4. 眩暈
5. 神意
6. 軌道
7. 復活
8. 足音
9. 祈り
10. 幻影
11. 叫び
12. 記憶
13. 輪廻
14. THE LAST DAY

CD2 Composed and Arranged by Shiro SAGISU, Except:
[M-8] Composed by Tomohiko GONDO , Arranged by Tomohiko GONDO and Yuichiro HONDA
[M-9] Composed by Yuichiro HONDA and Tomohiko GONDO , Arranged by Yuichiro HONDA
[M-11] Composed and Arranged by Shiro SAGISU , Additional Production: Yuichiro HONDA
[M-14] Composed and Arranged by Tomohiko GONDO


The film is brilliant, and the soundtrack just blows your mind off, what else can you ask for?



Casshern OST's official site from toshiba-emi

Back by popular demand! Here's the music video and lyrics to つじあやの Tsuji Ayano's popular track "風になる" (Kaze ni naru - I become the wind). The track is the theme song for Studio Ghibli's hit movie "The Cat's Returns" (猫の恩返し). I can't explain how it feels, but the video is really cool cuz everyone is wearing glasses in it.



「風になる」歌詞

忘れていた目を閉じて　取り戻せ恋のうた
青空に隠れている　手を伸ばしてもう一度

忘れないですぐそばに　僕がいるいつの日も
星空を眺めている　一人きりの夜明けも

たった一つの心　悲しみに暮れないで
君のためいきなんて　春風に変えてやる

陽のあたる坂道を　自転車で駆けのぼる
君と失くした 想い出乗せて行くよ

ララララ　口ずさむ　くちびるを染めて行く
君と見つけた しあわせ 花のように


忘れていた窓開けて　走り出せ恋のうた
青空に託している　手をかざしてもう一度

忘れないよすぐそばに　君がいるいつの日も
星空に輝いてる　涙揺れる明日も

たった一つの言葉　この胸に抱きしめて
君のため僕は今　春風に吹かれてる

陽のあたる坂道を　自転車で駆けのぼる
君と誓った約束 乗せて行くよ

ララララ　口ずさむ　くちびるを染めて行く
君と出会えた しあわせ 祈るように


陽のあたる坂道を　自転車で駆けのぼる
君と誓った約束 乗せて行くよ

ララララ　口ずさむ　くちびるを染めて行く
君と出会えた しあわせ 祈るように
君と出会えた しあわせ 祈るように


ROMAJI:

wasurete ita me wo tojite
tori modose koi no uta
aozora ni kakureteiru
te wo nobashite mou ichido
wasurenaide sugu soba ni
boku ga iru itsu no hi mo
hoshizora ni nagameteiru hitori kiri no yoake mo
tatta hitotsu no kokoro kanashimi ni kurenaide
kimi no tameiki nante harukaze ni kaete yaru

hi no ataru sakamichi wo
jitensha de kake noboru
kimi to nakushita omoide nosete iku yo
RARARARARA kuchizusamu
kuchibiru wo somete iku
kimi to mitsuketa shiawase hana no you ni

wasurete ita mado akete hashiri dase koi no uta
aozora ni takushiteiru
te wo kazashite mou ichido
wasurenai yo sugu soba ni
kimi ga iru itsu no hi mo
hoshizora ni kagayaiteru namida yureru ashita mo
tatta hitotsu no kotoba kono mune ni dakishimete
kimi no tame boku ha ima harukaze ni fukareteru

hi no ataru sakamichi wo
jitensha de kake noboru
kimi to chikatta yakusoku nosete iku yo
RARARARARA kuchizusamu
kuchibiru wo somete iku
kimi to deaeta shiawase inoru you ni

hi no ataru sakamichi wo
jitensha de kake noboru
kimi to chikatta yakusoku nosete iku yo
RARARARARA kuchizusamu
kuchibiru wo somete iku
kimi to deaeta shiawase inoru you ni

kimi to deaeta
shiawase inoru you ni


ENGLISH:

I forgot, closing my eyes
To take back the love song
Hiding in the blue sky
I'll stretch my hands to it once more
Don't forget that no matter when
I'll be right next to you
Gazing up at the starry sky, although the dawn is lonely
Just your one heart, won't grow dark in sadness, and
I'll change your sighs into the spring wind

I'll ascend the sunny hillpath
On my bicycle
And I'll take along those memories you lost
La la la la la, I hum a tune
And it color my lips
The happiness I've found with you is like a flower

I forgot, opening the window, the love song, as I started to run
Entrusting it to the blue sky
Once more, I held my hand over my head
I won't forget that no matter when
You'll be right next to me
Shining in the starry sky is the tomorrow where our tears tremble
Just your one word, holding it to my heart
For your sake, I am now being blown back by the spring wind

I'll ascend the sunny hillpath
On my bicycle
And I'll take along the promise I swore to with you
La la la la la, I hum a tune
And it color my lips
The happiness I was able to meet with you is what I pray for

I'll ascend the sunny hillpath
On my bicycle
And I'll take along the promise I swore to with you
La la la la la, I hum a tune
And it color my lips
The happiness I was able to meet with you is what I pray for

The happiness I was able to meet with you
Is what I pray for


If you enjoyed the video, you might also want to read these related posts about Tsuji Ayano:
つじあやの - 心は君のもとへ (歌詞とPV)
COVER GIRL by Tsuji Ayano
Balanco
Tsuji Ayano

Due to popular demand, I've decided to post the lyrics for Utada Hikaru's latest single "Flavor of Life" below:


ありがとうと君に言われると
なんだか切ない
さようならの後も解けぬ魔法
淡くほろ苦い
The flavor of life...... The flavor of life......

友達でも恋人でもない中間地点で
収穫の時を夢見てる青いフルーツ

あと一歩が踏み出せないせいで
じれったいの何のってBaby

ありがとうと君に言われると
なんだか切ない
さようならの後も解けぬ魔法
淡くほろ苦い
The flavor of life...... The flavor of life......

甘いだけの誘い文句
味気のないTalk
そんなものには興味をそそられない

思い通りにいかない時だって
人生捨てたもんじゃないって

「どうしたの？」と
急に聞かれると
「ううん、何でもない」
さようならの後に消える笑顔
私らしくない

信じたいと願えば願うほど
なんだか切ない
「愛してるよ」よりも「大好き」の方が
君らしいんじゃない
The flavor of life…

忘れかけてた人の香りを
突然思い出す頃
降り積もる雪の白さをもっと
素直に喜びたいよ

ダイヤモンドより軟らかくて
温かな未来
手にしたいよ限りある時間を
君と過ごしたい

ありがとうと君に言われると
なんだか切ない
さようならの後も解けぬ魔法
淡くほろ苦い
The flavor of life......The flavor of life...


Arigatou to kimi ni iwareru to nandaka setsunai
sayonara no ato mo tokenu mahou awaku horonigai
The flavor of life......The flavor of life...

tomodachi demo koibito demo nai chuukan chiten de
shuukaku no hi wo yumemiteru aoi furu-tsu
ato ippo ga fumidasenai sei de
Jirettai no nani notte? Baby

arigatou to kimi ni iwareru to nandaka setsunai
sayounara no ato mo tokenu mahou awaku horonigai
The flavor of life......The flavor of life...

amai dake no sasoi monku ajike no nai doku
sonna mono ni wa kyoumi wa sosorarenai
omoitoori ni ikanai toki datte
jinsei suteta mon janai tte

doushita no? to kyuu ni kikareru to “uun. nandemo nai”
sayounara no ato ni kieru egao watashi rashikunai
sinjitai to negaeba negau hodo nandaka setsunai
“aishiteru yo” yori mo “daisuki” no hou ga kimi rashii janai?
The flavor of life

wasurekakete ita hito no kaori wo totsuzen omoidasu koro
furitsumoru yuki no shirosa wo omou to sunao ni yorokobitai yo

daiyamondo yorimo yawarakakute atatakana mirai
teni shitai yo kagiri aru jikan wo kimi to sugoshitai
“arigatou” to kimi ni iwareru to nandaka setsunai
sayounara no ato mo tokenu mahou awaku horonigai
The flavor of life......The flavor of life...


You can view the video on my post about the new single here:
Hikki's new single - "FLAVOR OF LIFE"

Utada Hikaru's latest Japanese single is titled "Flavor Of Life" and will be released on February 28th!! The single features a total of 5 tracks, including an original and ballad version of the title track, as well as a CD only remix.

宇多田ヒカル新曲「Ｆｌａｖｏｒ　ｏｆ　Ｌｉｆｅ」はドラマ「花より男子２＜リターンズ＞」の劇中歌。２／２８発売日です。

Edit-Due to popular demand I've decided to upload the lyrics to the song(Flavor of Lifeの歌詞):
"Flavor of Life" Lyrics - Utada Hikaru



TRACKS:
01. Flavor Of Life
02. Flavor Of Life -Ballad Version- (image song for J-Drama 花より男子2 - Hana Yori Dango 2)
03. Flavor Of Life (Original Karaoke)
04. Flavor Of Life -Ballad Version- (Original Karaoke)
05. Flavor Of Life -Antidote Mix- (CD-Only Bonus Track)

And here's the PV for Flavor of Life (Ballad Version):
ＹｏｕＴｕｂｅよりＰＶフル視聴


New Single "Flavor of life" from Hikki's official site.

Here's the video for Tsuji Ayano's (つじあやの) track 心は君のもとへ (Kokoro wa kimi no moto e) which is featured in her album Haru Mikan (春蜜柑) and her EP "Koi suru Megane" (恋する眼鏡). The video's really great and its filmed in the Portugese city of Lisbon.





And here's the lyrics of the track. Sorry I didn't have time to translate or romanize them.

作詩：つじあやの 作曲：つじあやの

守られていた
その時までは
きっとまた戻ってくれると
信じて待っていた
うそが上手な君のことば
きっとまた 笑ってくれると
信じて待っていた fu…

きっと夢はかなうだろう
青い青い空の下
つながってゆく広がってゆく
心は君のもとへ

失っていたその時僕は
きっとまた忘れられないと
感じて泣いていた
うそでかためた夜の星は
きっとまた離れられないと
感じて泣いていた fu…

きっと君は来ないだろう
暗い暗い空の下
くずれてゆくこわれてゆく
心は君のはてに

きっと僕はうたうだろう
遠い遠い空の下
流れてゆくあふれてゆく
心を抱いて歩いてゆく
きっと夢はかなうだろう
青い青い空の下
つながってゆく広がってゆく
心は君のもとへ
心は君のもとへ

In the meantime, you might also like to read these related posts about Tsuji Ayano:
COVER GIRL by Tsuji Ayano
Balanco
Tsuji Ayano

Hitoto You (一青窈) is best known for her Jpop debut single Morai Naki (もらい泣き). The single reached #4 on Oricon charts and charting for an amazing 68 weeks in the top 200 singles. The single became the #13 single of 2003, and was awarded the Best Hit Artist, with the Debut Artist of the Year award at the Nihon Record Taishou.

It is also interesting to note that if the track "Morai Naki" is played at 80% of its original speed, the singer sounds exactly like Hirai Ken (平井堅), a popular Japanese R & B singer.



PV for Morai Naki (もらい泣き):



一青窈 - もらい泣き（歌詞）

作詞：一青窈
作曲：溝渕大智・マシコタツロウ・武部聡志


朝、から　字幕だらけのテレビに
齧り付く夜光虫。
自分の場所
探すひろいリビングで
『ふっ』と　君がよぎる

愛をよく知る親友とか　に　は　
話せないし、夢みがち。
段ボール　の、中　ヒキコモりっきり
あのねでもね、
ただ誰多遜訊いてキイテキイテ

※ええいああ　君から「もらい泣き」
　ほろり・ほろり　ふたりぼっち
　ええいああ　僕にも「もらい泣き」
　やさしい・の・は　誰です※

乙女座
言葉、にすればする程
意味がない小宇宙。
あげよう!
と、決めた絵本だって
とうに流行り廃れちゃった。

PM12:00過ぎ　て、鳴らすメロディー
迎えが来ないシンデレラ。
明日 - 笑える - 始めの - 一歩
からだで　おしえて　欲しい誰多遜ホシイホシイ

（※くり返し）

ええいああ　ぽろぽろもらい泣き
ひとりひとりふたりぼっち
ええいああ　僕にももらい泣き
やさしいのは　そう　君です

（※くり返し）

ええいああ　君から「もらい泣き」
ほろり・ほろり　ふたりぼっち
ええいあありがとう「もらい泣き」
やさしいのはそう　君です

Romaji:

asa kara jimaku darake no terebi ni
kajiritsuku yakouchuu
jibun no basho
sagasu hiroi ribingu de
futto kimi ga yogiru

ai wo yoku shiru shinyuu toka ni wa
hanasenai shi yumemigachi
danboru no naka hikikomorikkiri
ano ne, demo ne
tada kiite, kiite, kiite

*eeiaa kimi kara morai naki
horori horori futaribocchi
eeiaa boku ni mo morai naki
yasashii no wa dare desu*

otomoeza
kotoba ni sureba suru hodo
imi ga nai shouuchuu
ageyou!
to kimeta ehonn datte
tou ni hayari sutare chatta

jyuuniji sugi te narasu merodii
mukae ga konai shinderera
asu waraeru hajime no ippo
karada de oshiete hoshii hoshii hoshii

(* repeat)

eeiaa poro poro morai naki
hitori hitori futaribocchi
eeiaa boku ni mo morai naki
yasashii no wa sou kimi desu

(* repeat)

eeiaa kimi kara morai naki
horori horori futaribocchi
eeia arigatou morai naki
yasashii no wa sou kimi desu

Translation:

In a TV full of subtitles early in the morning
There are bugs that seem to gnaw into it
In the big living room where I try to find my place
You pass by me

*I can’t tell my good friends who know a lot about love
And compared to them I’m a dreamer
I’m still stuck inside the cardboard box
But still, please,
Listen, listen, listen*

Eeiaa I receive tears from you
Sentimental, it’s just the two of us
Eeiaa I receive tears from you
Who is the kind one?

Virgo
The more we put in to words
The less meaning it has, the little universe (microcosmos galaxy)
Even the picturebook that I planned to give away
Slowly rotted away to the trends

The melody that sounds at midnight
Cinderella who doesn’t have a way home
The way to smile tomorrow
I want you to show me with your body

(* repeat)

Eeiaa, drop by drop, the tears fall down
Sentimental, it’s just the two of us
Eeiaa, I receive tears from you too
The kind one is, yes, it’s you

(* repeat)

Eeiaa I receive tears from you
Sentimental, it’s just the two of us
Eeia, thank you, for the tears
The kind one is, yes, it’s you

This track is a rather old track by popular Jpop artist Utada Hikaru and is feature in her 2003 single "Colors" as well as her latest album "ULTRA BLUE". The single "Colors" also features "Simple and Clean" which is an English version of the track "Hikari" and is also the themesong for the hit game "Kingdom Hearts". It's a pretty cool track and her music video was simply superb!



Here's the video for the track:



And here's the lyrics:

COLORS

作詞: 宇多田ヒカル 作曲: 宇多田ヒカル

ミラーが映し出す幻を気にしながら
いつの間にか速度上げてるのさ

どこへ行ってもいいと言われると
半端な願望には標識も全部灰色だ

炎の揺らめき　今宵も夢を描く
あなたの筆先　渇いていませんか

青い空が見えぬなら青い傘広げて
いいじゃないか　キャンバスは君のもの
白い旗はあきらめた時にだけかざすの
今は真っ赤に　誘う闘牛士のように

カラーも色褪せる蛍光灯の下
白黒のチェスボードの上で君に出会った

僕らは一時　迷いながら寄り添って
あれから一月　憶えていますか

オレンジ色の夕日を隣で見てるだけで
よかったのにな　口は災いの元
黒い服は死者に祈る時にだけ着るの
わざと真っ赤に残したルージュの痕

もう自分には夢の無い絵しか描けないと言うなら
塗り潰してよ　キャンバスを何度でも
白い旗はあきらめた時にだけかざすの
今の私はあなたの知らない色

Romaji:

COLORS

Lyrics: Utada Hikaru Music: Utada Hikaru

MIRAA ga utsushidasu maboroshi wo ki ni shi nagara
Itsu no ma ni ka sokudo ageteru no sa

Doko he itte mo ii to ii wareru to
Hanpa na ganmou ni wa hyoushiki mo zenbu haiiro da

Honoo no yurameki koyoi mo yume wo egaku
Anata no fudesaki kawaite imasen ka

Aoi sora ga mieru nara aoi kasa hirogete
Ii janai ka KYANBASU wa kimi no mono
Shiroi hata wa akirameta toki ni dake kazasu no
Ima wa makka ni sasou tougyuushi no you ni

KARAA mo iro aseru keikoutou no moto
Shirokuro no chesuboodu no ue de kimi ni deatta

Bokura wa hitotoki mayoi nagara yorisoutte
Are kara hitotsuki oboete imasu ka

ORENJI iro no yuuhi wo tonari de miteru dake de yokatta no ni na
Kuchi wa wazawai no moto
Kuroi fuku wa shisha ni inoru toki ni dake kiru no
Wazato makka ni nokoshita ruuju no ato

Mou jibun ni wa yume no nai e shika egakenai to iu nara
Nuritsubushite yo KYANBASU wo nando demo
Shiroi hata wa akirameta toki ni dake kazasu no
Ima no watashi wa anata no shiranai iro

Translation:

COLORS

Lyrics: Utada Hikaru Translation: Izak Loftus

The mirror reflects the illusions in my soul
And before I’m aware of it, I’m quickly lifted

Where can we go and can we break apart?
The sign of my incomplete wish is entirely gray

Flickering flames paint my dreams tonight
Your brush isn’t dried up yet?

You’ll be able to see the blue sky if you open up your blue umbrella
Is that not good enough? The canvas is yours
I’ll surrender to time and hold the white flag overhead
Now I’m like a matador, enticing you with crimson

Color after color fades under the flourescent lights
I met you on the black and white chessboard

When I lost my way that time, I leaned close to you
Ever since that month, I’ve wondered if you even remember it

Simply watching the orange color of the setting sun with you made me happy
Your mouth was the origin of catastrophe
Black clothes are only worn when praying for the deceased
Crimson is intentionally left behind by the mark of rouge

You say that there are no more dreams to paint within myself
But how many times must I fill this canvas?
I’ll surrender to time and hold the white flag overhead
Now I am the color that you do not know

COVER GIRL is a 2004 album by Tsuji Ayano (つじあやの). In this album, she performs covers of popular Japanese and English songs. Hence the name "COVER GIRL". Although this album is a cover album, it has nothing short of Tsuji Ayano's own style. Simply put, when you're listening to this album, you won't even feel that its a cover version because its so distinct and unique in style.

The album is considered to be something different because it is presented in 2 CDs (Tokyo side and Kyoto side). Her second 2 CD album is CALENDAR CALENDAR which is a compilation of her "Four Seasons" singles. Also, this is her first time singing in English (Never can Say Goodbye by Jackson5), considering the absence of English lyrics in most, if not all of her songs.

Notable tracks worth listening in this album are 黄金の月, シャ・ラ・ラ and Swallowtail Butterfly～あいのうた～. Her best track in this album is 星に願いを(When You Wish Upon A Star) IMO. Its so different from the old version by Louis Armstrong yet it still sounds really cool. Perhaps its her gentle twang of her ukulele that makes the real difference.



Tokyo Side -disc 1-
1. 黄金の月 / スガ シカオ (Kogare no Gatsu)
2. パレード / シュガー・ベイブ (Paredo) [Listen Real Audio] [Listen WMP]
3. シャ・ラ・ラ / サザンオールスターズ(Sha Ra Ra)
4. Never Can Say Goodbye / JACKSON5
5. 年下の男の子 / キャンディーズ (Toshishita no Otoko no ko)
6. ラブレター / THE BLUE HEARTS (Ravureta)
7. 星に願いを(When You Wish Upon A Star) ＜Full Version＞ [Listen Real Audio]

Kyoto Side -disc 2-
1. チェリー / スピッツ〔鴨川土手より〕(Chiari) [Listen Real Audio]
2. 結婚しようよ / 吉田拓郎〔京都市立銅駝美術工芸高等学校より〕(Kekkon Shioyou)
3. プカプカ / 西岡恭蔵〔法然院より〕(Puka Puka)
4. なんとなくなんとなく / ザ・スパイダース〔METROより〕(Nantonaku Nantonaku)
5. Swallowtail Butterfly～あいのうた～ / YEN TOWN BAND〔つじ家より〕
6. 別れても好きな人 / ロス インディオス & シルビア〔Irish PUB fieldより〕(Wakare demo Iki na Hito)
7. お世話になりました / 井上 順〔TK furnitureより〕(Osewa ni Narimashita)

Check out Tsuji Ayano's official site for more previews and a complete list of her works released.

By the way, Tsuji Ayano has released several new albums つじベスト (Tsuji Best) which is a collection of all her best tracks and はじまりの時 (The Time at the Beginning) during the last quarter of 2006. I'll write up a bit on these albums once I've listened to them.

In the mean time, you can read more about Tsuji Ayano on my posts below:
Tsuji Ayano
Balanco
Tsuji Ayano's new Hairstyle

It's been a while since I visited Tsuji Ayano's blog...She changed her hairstyle!

Here's the lyrics to the song Sakura Drops by Utada Hikaru:

Sakura ドロップス



作詞: 宇多田ヒカル 作曲: 宇多田ヒカル

恋をして 終わりを告げ
誓うことは: これが最後の heartbreak
桜さえ楓の中で揺れて
やがて花を咲かすよ

降り出した夏の雨が
涙の横を通った すーっと
思い出とダブる映像
秋のドラマ再放送

どうして同じようなパンチ
何度もくらっちゃうんだ
それもまた戦うんだろう
それが命の不思議

恋をして 全て捧げ
願うことは: これが最後の heartbreak
桜さえ時の中で揺れて
やがて花を咲かすよ

繰り返す季節の中で
くつが擦り減ったく

もっと肩の力抜いて
過去はどこかにしまっておけ
ここからそう遠くないだろう
観たこともない景色

止まらない胸痛み超えて
もっと君に近づきたいよ
一周りしては戻り
青い空をずっと探り

恋をして 終わりを告げ
誓うことは: 今日が最後の Good day
桜まで風の中で揺れて
そっと君に手を伸ばすよ

好きで好きでどうしようもない
それとこれとは関係無い

Romaji:

Sakura DOROPPUSU

Lyrics: Utada Hikaru Music: Utada Hikaru

Koi wo shite owari wo tsuge
Chikau koto wa: kore ga saigo no heartbreak
Sakurasae kaze no naka de yurete
Yagate hana wo sakasu yo

Furidashita natsu ame ga
Namida no yoko wo kayotta suutto
Omoide to DABUru eizou
Aki no DORAMA sai housou

Doushite onaji youna PANCHI
Nando mokuracchaunda
Sorede momata tatakau n darou
Sore ga inochi no fushigi

Koi wo shite subete sasage
Negau koto wa: kore ga saigo no heartbreak
Sakurasae toki no naka de yurete
Yagate hana wo sakasu yo

Kuri kaesu kisetsu no naka de
Kutsuga suri hettaku

Motto kata no chikara haite
Kako wa doko ka ni shimatte oke
Koko kara sou tooku nai darou
Mita koto mo nai keshiki

Tomara nai mune no itami koete
Motto kimi ni chikazuki tai yo
Hito mawari shite wa modori
Aoi sora wo zutto te saguri

Koi wo shite owari wo tsuge
Chikaru koto wa: kyou ga saigo no Good day
Sakura made kaze no naka de yurete
Sotto kimi ni te wo nobasuyo

Suki de suki de doushite you nai
Sore tokore to wa kankei nai

Translation:

Cherryblossom Drops

Lyrics: Utada Hikaru Translation: Yanto Young

I fall in love, and the love is over
What I swear is, may this be the last Heartbreak
Even the cherryblossom in the winds sways
and soon they will blossom

Summer rain that began to fall
passed by beside the tears, quietly
The images overlapped with memories
A rerun of the autumn drama

Why is it always the same kind of punches
that I receive all the time
Even so I will fight again
That is a mystery of life

I fall in love, and devote everything
What I hope is, may this be the last Heartbreak
Even the cherryblossom in the time sways
and soon they will blossom

In the seasons repeated over and over
shoes are wearing out

Loosen up your shoulders more
Keep the past somewhere
It will not be that far away from here
The scenery that I have never seen

The endless pain of my heart, I’m getting over it
and I want to be closer to you
Going one round and coming back
I feel my way in blue sky all the time

I fall in love, and the love is over
What I swear is, may today be the first good day
ntil the cherryblossom in the winds sways
and quietly reaches out for you

I love you, I can’t stop loving you
That has nothing to do with this

This Is Love is the first track on Utada Hikaru's Ultra Blue album. It was used as a radio single to promote the album (much like Play Ball and Parody before it). The song was even used as a CM song for a Nissin cup noodle campaign. However, unlike these previous radio singles it was announced on May the 11th that This Is Love would be able to be purchased as a digital single from websites such as iTunes from the 31st of May onwards. This makes This Is Love Utada's third download exclusive single, after Easy Breezy and Devil Inside. It reached the #1 spot within a few of days in almost all the online music stores. Utada herself is quoted to have said that this song is about expressing that, 'Love is like a mix of extremes; anxiety and peace.'

2006年6月リリースの4thアルバム。映画「CASSHERN」のテーマ曲(6)やCMソングとしても知られる(2)など、「COLORS」以降の全シングル曲を収録。これまで以上にバラエティに富んだ仕上がり。

You can view the commercial for Nissin Cup Noodles here:

Utada Hikaru - Nissin Cup Noodle 30s CM (This Is Love)



宇多田ヒカル　
This is Love

※予期せぬ愛に　自由奪われたいね　Oh　ひと目で分かったの
冷たい言葉と暖かいキスあげるよ　This Is Love This Is Love...

夜と朝の狭間　震える手で　（確かな支えで）
捕らえる人（後ろからそっと）抱きつく人
何か言いたいけど（次の瞬間）もう朝なの

激しい雨も　不意に芽生える愛も　Oh 不安と安らぎの
冷たい枕と暖かいベットになるよ　This Is Love This Is Love...（×２）

夢と夢の間　怯えた目で（確かに覗いて）
さまよう人（私からそっと）抱いてみたの
とても言えないけど（もしかしたらこれ）もう愛かも

激しい雨に　鳴り止まない遺伝子　Oh 咲かせてあげたいの
運命と花を　あてどない空の花を　This Is Love This Is Love...（×２）

もう済んだ事　時に見つけて　損した事　あなたにもありませんか？
閉ざされてた扉　開ける呪文　Oh　今度こそ　あなたに聴こえるといいな

悪い予感がすると　わくわくしちゃうな　Oh 痛めつけなくても
この身はいつか滅びるものだから　甘えてなんぼ　This Is Love This Is Love...

※Repeat


Romaji:
Yokisenu ai ni jiyuu ubawareta ine
Oh hitome de wakatta no
Tsumetai kotoba to atatakai kisu ageru yo
This is Love, This is Love...

Yoru to asa no hazama furueru te de
(tashika na sasae de)
Toraeru hito
(ushiro kara sotto)
Dakitsuku hito
Nanika ii tai kedo
(tsugi no shunkan)
Mou asa na no

Hageshii ame mo fui ni mebaeru ai mo
Oh fuan to yasuragi no
Tsumetai makura to atatakai betto ni naru yo
This is Love, This is Love...
This is Love, This is Love...

Yume to yume no ma obieta me de
(tashika ni nozoi te)
Sama you hito
(watashi kara sotto)
Idai te mi ta no
Totemo ie nai kedo
(moshika shi tara kore)
Mou ai kamo

Hageshii ame ni nari yama nai idenshi
Oh sakasete age tai no
Unmei ni hana wo ate do nai sora no hana wo
This is Love, This is Love...
This is Love, This is Love...

Mou sunda koto toki mitsukete son shita koto
Anata ni mo arimasen ka?
Tozasareteta tobira akeru jumon
Oh kondo koso anata ni kikoeru to ii na

Warui yokan ga suru to wakuwaku shi chau na
Oh itametsuke naku te mo
Kono mi wa itsuka horobiru mono da kara amaete na
This is love, This is love...

Yokisenu ai ni jiyuu ubawareta ine
Oh hitome de wakatta no
Tsumetai kotoba to atatakai kisu ageru yo
This is Love, This is Love...
This is Love, This is Love...


Translation:
I want my freedom to be bound by unanticipated love
Oh I knew it at a glance
I'll give you cold words and warm kisses
This is Love, This is Love...

In between night and morning, with a shaking hand
(with certain support)
The person you can catch
(and from the back softly)
The person that you can cling to
I want to say something but
(the next instant)
It's already morning

Violent rain and unconciously sprouted love both
Oh become the cold pillow and warm bed
of uneasiness and peace of mind
This is Love, This is Love...
This is Love, This is Love...

With a frightened eye
(I definitely peeked)
Through the spaced between dreams
(I softly)
tried embracing the wandering person
It's very hard for me to say this, but probably
(This might)
Already be love

Genes that dont stop ringing in the violent rain
Oh I want to make it bloom
Bloom destiny and the flower, flower of the aimless sky
This is Love, This is Love...
This is Love, This is Love...

Things already finished, you find in time.
Haven't you ever suffered a loss before?
If this time you can hear
Oh the spell to open the bolted door that would be great

I just get nervous when I have a bad premonition
Oh Even if you dont treat me badly, sometime this body will
Decay. So no matter how much I behave like a spoilt child
This is love, This is love...

I want my freedom to be bound by unanticipated love
Oh I knew it at a glance
I'll give you cold words and warm kisses
This is Love, This is Love...
This is Love, This is Love...

Credits to yonyon @ U-O

Visit ULTRA BLUE's official blog here.

Here are the lyrics to Quruli's great track "Akai Densha". You can read more about Quruli on my other blog post here.

赤い電車
作詞: くるり 作曲: くるり

赤い電車に乗っかって
僕はどこかへ行ってしまいたい

赤い電車は羽田から
僕らを乗せてひとっ飛び

でっかい東京 どこへでも
どこまでも行けるから
君住む街へ ひとっ飛び

赤い電車は歌い出す
ファソラシドレミファソー

赤い電車に乗っかって
夢を探しに行くんだよー

でっかい東京 こんな街もあるんだ
見たことのない景色見せてよ 赤い電車

赤い電車 赤い電車 赤い電車

でっかい東京
君住む街へ ひとっ飛び
赤い電車で ひとっ飛び


Akai Densha
Lyrics: Quruli Music: Quruli

Akai densha ni nokkatte
Boku wa dokoka he itte shimaitai

Akai densha wa haneda kara
Bokura wo nosete hitotsu tobi

Dekkai toukyou doko he demo
Dokomademo yukeru kara
Kimi sumu machi he hitottobi

Akai densha wa utai dasu
FASO RASHI DOREMI FASOO

Akai densha ni nokkatte
Yume wo sagashi ni yukundayo~

Dekkai toukyou konna machi mo arunda
Mita koto no nai keshiki misete yo akai densha

Akai densha akai densha akai densha

Dekkai toukyou
Kimi sumu machi he hitottobi
Akai densha de hitottobi


Translation:
Getting on a red train
I want to go somewhere

The red train leaves Haneda
With us on board

We can go anywhere in big Tokyo
We can go anywhere at all
We can take a ride to the city that you live in

The red train starts to sing
Fa-so-la-ti-do-re-mi-fa-so

Getting on a red train
I'm going to search for my dreams

Show me some scenery in big Tokyo
That I haven't seen before, red train

Red train, red train, red train

Big Tokyo
Take a ride to the city that you live in
Take a ride on a red train


credits to the cherryblossom garden for the romanization and mognet.net for the translation.

You can buy Quruli's singles at yesasia.com

Final Distance is Utada Hikaru's 9th single and her 1st single in her widely acclaimed "Deep River" album. This video was directed by Utada Hikaru's husband, 紀里谷和明, Mr Kiriya Kazuaki. Mr Kiriya also directed the motion picture "CASSHERN" which featured Utada Hikaru's 誰かの願いが叶うころ (Dareka no negai ga kanau koro) as the ending theme song.



"Distance" originally appeared in the Distance album, and was planned to be released as a single. However, Utada heard of a rampage in which schoolgirl Reina Yamashita (山下玲奈) had died. Reina had previously won an essay competition; writing about how she wanted to become a singer just like Utada. Utada decided to change the song entirely, creating the song "FINAL DISTANCE".

The Japanese Ministry of Education decided to incorporate Utada Hikaru's ballad "FINAL DISTANCE" in the high school music textbook starting spring semester 2001, which was announced on 8th of April. In order to pass the proposal, they needed 313 points. The proposal was passed with 319 points. They will be targeting high school students in their second year to test the new curriculum. According to the publisher of arts in education, the song was chosen because it is closely familiar with high school students.

Utada Hikaru - Final Distance MV (Youtube Video)

Utada Hikaru's official site at Toshiba-EMI here.

Bought Tsuji Ayano's （つじあやの）album "Balanco" awhile ago but didn't really write much about it. This album is one of her older works and was released on 17/04/2002. It basically retains much of her original style which is predominantly light and happy. Notable tracks in this album are サンデーモーニング (Sunday Morning) and 恋人どうし (Koibito Doushi).



Here's the tracklisting for Balanco:
01. あの子のしあわせ
02. サンデーモーニング
03. 愛のかけら☆恋のかけら
04. 僕の好きだった人
05. 悲しみは果てしなく
06. 恋人どうし
07. 君に会いに行きましょう
08. 僕のすべて
09. 星の輝き
10. 君の花が咲いていた
11. いつまでも二人で

Tsuji Ayano - サンデーモーニング (Sunday Morning) (Streaming Real Audio)

Her official site is here.

Utada Hikaru's latest Japanese album entitled "ULTRA BLUE" is scheduled for released on 06/14/2006. Yamada Masashi, featured on the track "One Night Magic", is the lead vocalist of the J-Rock band, The Back Horn. The song "This is Love" was recently used as the song for the new Nissin Cup Noodle commercial. The album will also include hit tracks from singles such as "Colors", "Dareka no Negai Kanau Koro", "Be My Last" and "Keep Tryin'".



Tracklist:

01. This Is Love
02. Keep Tryin'
03. BLUE
04. 日曜の朝
05. Making Love
06. 誰かの願いが叶うころ
07. COLORS
08. One Night Magic feat. Yamada Masash
09. 海路
10. WINGS
11. Be My Last
12. Eclipse(Interlude)
13. Passion

Utada Hikaru - This is Love

Check out Hikki's official site here for more news and updates.

Have been listening to a lot of Tsuji Ayano (つじあやの)recently especially the Summer single entitled "Shiny Day". She's most famous for singing the song 風に成る (Kaze ni Naru). I find that its extremely hard, if not impossible to get her albums and singles outside Japan because her record label Victor Entertainment doesn't distribute her stuff outside Japan. But definately you can get Tsuji Ayano's imported CDs made in Japan from sites such as Yesasia and CDJapan at VERY expensive prices. I was really lucky to get a copy of "Shiny Day" really cheap from ebay. And i reckon that her new album "CALENDAR CALENDAR" is supposed to be very good, just can't wait to get my hands on a copy of it.



Tsuji Ayano - Shiny Day (Real Media)

Tsuji Ayano - 愛の真夏 (Ai no Manatsu)


Tsuji Ayano and James Iha, the producer of 愛の真夏 during a live performance. Visit her official site here for more details.

Just got loads of new stuff recently...Got Sigur Ros's () album for my friend, some stuff from Shpongle, Tsuji Ayano's Shiny Day, Nicola Cheung's 再不小心 and finally got Utada Hikaru's new single entitled "Passion". The cd includes and original version of the song "Passion" and another mix entitled "~After the battle~". The single also comes with a DVD of the MV of the song. This single is featured as the theme song Square-Enix video game "Kingdom Hearts II."

The theme is very mellow and sad, shown quite clearly from the opening synthesizer notes and Hikaru's ghostly vocals. Listening to the instrumentals alone isn't a rewarding experience as it is too dull and mediocre in some places and consists of some pretty poor use of the electronica genre, but placed with Hikaru's vocals, it seems almost flawless. The second track is split into two different sections — vocal and instrumental — each unique in style.



Utada Hikaru - Passion (Streaming Media)

Utada Hikaru - Passion PV (Streaming)

More info about Utada Hikaru's new single "Passion" here.

我今次由香港返來買佐好多CD同VINYLS.。。.呢個冬天香港真係好鬼凍。。。。我既ukelele同piano都好多日冇練習lo...生疏佐好多...